CLOUD COMPUTING PRACTICES AND PERCEIVED BENEFITS BY SMES IN MALAYSIA: SOME EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE

Abstract

Cloud computing can offer many benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as cloud services can be utilized by SMEs by leasing the services from cloud vendors.  Although still lagging behind the larger counterparts, more SMEs are starting to adopt cloud services, particularly in the developed countries.   SMEs in Malaysia are also following suit, however, not much empirical studies have been conducted in a comprehensive manner to provide insights on the status and practices of cloud adoption among SMEs in Malaysia.  The purpose of this study is to fill this gap. Using the survey method, a total of 387 responses were used for the descriptive analysis.  The findings indicate that most Malaysia small businesses in both service and manufacturing sectors have substantial experience with basic cloud services and adopt similar practices like SMEs in the developed nations.  The implication of the findings is that Malaysia SMEs are catching up with the global trend of utilizing cloud computing to improve the competitiveness of their business.